I think there is "the best in context", and that's what people should strive for. The "best in all situations" is what most people like to chase after however.

I think there is "the best in context", and that's what people should strive for. The "best in all situations" is what most people like to chase after however. Someone who has 20 years of knowledge in a dozen different languages doesn't matter as much if you just need someone with 2 years of very deep knowledge in one very specific language. On paper the former is "better" (even if one can learn/adapt), but in context someone who fits the latter is a better fit. People can also learn. I'll take a junior developer over a senior developer who's an asshole any time. In a team, over time, the junior developer can more easily become an asset than the senior can change his/her ways.